UK security services helped devise act that gave amnesty over Troubles killings
The British security services played a role in creating the controversial Legacy Act, which provided amnesty to soldiers and paramilitaries involved in the Northern Ireland Troubles. This revelation has sparked anger among victims' groups who were already critical of the legislation. The act's formulation involved key figures from policing and state agencies, raising concerns about the independence of investigations into legacy cases.
- ▪The Legacy Act offered amnesty despite MI5's involvement in many killings during the Troubles.
- ▪Victims' groups have expressed outrage over the secretive policymaking process that included security service figures.
- ▪The act's conditional immunity was opposed by all political parties in Northern Ireland.
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British troops in Belfast in 1979. Photograph: Peter Kemp/APView image in fullscreenBritish troops in Belfast in 1979. Photograph: Peter Kemp/APNorthern IrelandUK security services helped devise act that gave amnesty over Troubles killingsRevelation that policing and state agency figures were in secret policymaking group angers victims’ groupsCormac Kehoe and Haroon SiddiqueTue 26 May 2026 01.00 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe British security services were involved in formulating the controversial Legacy Act, which offered an amnesty to soldiers and paramilitiaries despite MI5’s role in many killings during the Northern Ireland Troubles, it can be revealed.The presence of policing and state agency figures among a secret policymaking group involved in devising the act – a fact…
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